CAMPBELL WELCOMES MENTAL HEALTH FUNDING BOOST

This additional investment will improve access to psychological therapies for all ages, including children and adolescents’ mental health services.

This funding boost aims to treat another 10,000 patients in its first year - an increase of around 25 per cent on current numbers, rising to 20,000 in 2019/20.

Over four years, the money will be provided to NHS Boards to:

Improve capacity to see more people more quickly;

Work with Healthcare Improvement Scotland to redesign local services to be more efficient, effective and sustainable;

Improve workforce supply and train existing staff to deliver services for children and young people, as well as psychological therapies for all ages.

Commenting, Campbell said:

“I was delighted by the Scottish Government’s announcement today which confirmed that more than £54m will be made available to improve access to mental health services.

“I share our First Minister’s sentiments thatit is vital that the health service is properly equipped to give those who need support and treatment access to mental health services as early as possible. Scotland was the first country in the UK to have a mental health waiting times target – a sign of how importantly we view this issue, and this funding boost further emphasises our commitment to improving Scotland’s mental health services. This boost will make a real difference to the lives of many.”